Koppers Develops Carbon Foam Product
17 February 2006 - 9:39AM
PR Newswire (US)
Great Potential Exists for Improved Defense, Aerospace and
Automotive Industry Applications PITTSBURGH, Feb. 16
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Koppers has developed a new carbon foam
product to improve electronic and automotive cooling systems,
maximize heat exchanger performance and provide exceptional
acoustic and EMI/RF shielding properties. KFOAM(R) is a lightweight
and exceptionally strong carbon foam that has high thermal and
electric conductivity. Its low production cost and flexible
physical properties make it ideal for use in a wide range of
applications, including thermal energy and heat transfer
management, electromagnetic interference and acoustic shielding,
and batteries and fuel cell components. Potential uses for carbon
foam include heat management devices for airplanes and spacecraft,
and smaller, more efficient automobile radiators and computer chip
heat dissipaters. "We've been able to build on our decades of
experience in carbon materials processing to develop KFOAM(R),"
said Walter W. Turner, president and CEO of Koppers, a global
producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products for the
aluminum, steel, chemical, plastics, railroad and utility
industries. "Our innovative Research and Development Team continues
to develop new carbon pitch capabilities, and in doing so, Koppers
has been able to manufacture affordable carbon foam that is
well-suited to a broad set of product applications. Potential
customers will find many possibilities for this product." KFOAM(R)
is produced from a Koppers specialty product called mesophase
pitch. Derived from coal tar, the foam is heat-treated to 2800�C to
form a graphitic foam structure. The foaming process is licensed
from UT-Battelle, LLC, management and operating contractor of the
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy's
largest science and energy laboratory. As a highly conductive but
porous structure, KFOAM(R) quickly removes heat, improving thermal
management for potential use in computers and other electronics.
Because of its high compressive strength, KFOAM(R) is easily
machined into shapes and can provide the structure for various
applications. For more information, visit the KFOAM(R) web site:
http://www.kfoam.com/. About Koppers Koppers, with corporate
headquarters and a research center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is
a global integrated producer of carbon compounds and treated wood
products. Including its joint ventures, Koppers operates facilities
in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, China,
the Pacific Rim and South Africa. The stock of Koppers Holdings
Inc. (NYSE:KOP) is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol "KOP". For more information, visit us on the web:
http://www.koppers.com/. Questions concerning investor relations
should be directed to Brian H. McCurrie at 412 227 2153. This news
release may contain forward-looking statements based on
management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All
statements that address expectations or projections about the
future, including statements about the company's strategy for
growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures
and financial results are forward- looking statements. Some of the
forward-looking statements may be identified by words like
"expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects,"
"indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those
discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Koppers,
particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly
report on Form 10-Q, as well as others, could cause results to
differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are
not limited to, changes in the laws, regulations, policies and
economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign
currency exchange rates, of countries in which Koppers does
business; competitive pressures; the loss of one or more key
customer or supplier relationships; customer insolvencies;
successful integration of structural changes, including
restructuring plans, acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; cost
of raw materials; and other economic, business, competitive,
regulatory and/or operational factors affecting the business of
Koppers generally. First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact:
DavidAV@koppers.com DATASOURCE: Koppers Holdings Inc. CONTACT:
Rebecca R. Duke, Director, Communications, Development and
Compensation of Koppers, +1-412-227-2947, or Web site:
http://www.kfoam.com/ http://www.koppers.com/
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